Step 6: Creating the look and resistance you desire

Conductive fabric is a fabulous product for eTextile design, but it is not always aesthetically pleasing.
This is a method of creating your own conductive fabric from fusible fibers that will compliment your design project.

I was sent some thread samples that were unable to be used in a sewing machine or by hand sewing. The samples also has a resistance that was to high to be useful for eTextiles. So, I made a new eTextile fabric that solves a design problem I was having while using up supplies in my studio.

&nbsp;non-woven = how about wool felt? ... handmade, that is ...&nbsp;<br /> <br /> In much the same way as you made your sample with the angelina, you could alternate various thin layers of wool/ angelina/ conductive fibres. &nbsp;The felting process would bind all the fibres together, and with thin layers the contacts would be maintained. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> Although to create a wearable fabric there would be a 20-30% shrinkage factor, and maybe some textural/ dimensional change, would this be a problem or an added benefit?<br /> <br /> <br />

sweet spiralfelt welcome to I'bles!<br /> <br /> heatbondable angelina fibers only bond to each other.&nbsp; this is why its important to have conductive fibers dispersed thru the angelina fibers.&nbsp; So all the layers mesh together.<br /> <br /> there are also non-bondable angelina fibers that could be added to the felting process to make a sparkly conductive wool felt.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> a similar project is already in the works so please stay tuned.<br /> <br />

&nbsp;Ahh! &nbsp;interesting ... I've made sparkly [not sparky] felt, but didn't know there were 2 kinds of angelina fibres. &nbsp;Will read the labels more closely next time.<br /> <br /> So would incorporating heat-bondable angelina + conductive fibres in felt, then ironing the finished felt using an Elnapress work, or does the heat have to be really high [as for burnout]?<br /> <br /> will certainly stay tuned for your felt project.<br />

I am in search of other heat-bondable&nbsp; and non-woven fibers that will be more durable, yet still fashionable.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Any ideas please???

What about those iron on patches that people use to patch up holes in jeans?&nbsp; Maybe looking into those might help.<br /> <br /> From a non-crafter point of view, they look like they have a layer of heat-bondable plastic on denim (or is it a kind of plastic fabric?)...&nbsp; You could maybe get a similar effect by fusing plastic bags to denim (is that even possible?)...<br />

Good try robotguy!&nbsp; Plastic bags fuse to plastic bags not other materials.&nbsp; You can sandwich a material in between layers of plastic bags, but the material does not stick to the the bags.<br /> <br /> The material on the back of the appliques can be purchased in stores its referred to as<a href="http://store.quilting-warehouse.com/batting---interfacing-fusibleweb.html" rel="nofollow"> fusible web</a>.&nbsp; You can see my Instuctable on <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Fused_Fabric_with_Conductive_Thread/" rel="nofollow">fused electricall circuits</a> for more information.<br />

Oooo, conductive!&nbsp; And shiny!&nbsp; What more could you want?

Does this new fabric hold up to being sewn on a sewing machine?&nbsp; Does it need to be treated differently in any way?<br />

In the intro it says:<br /> &quot;'Getting creative with conductive thread samples that are useless for sewing'&quot;

Ah, so it does, but then the goal should be to make them useful!&nbsp; This instructable does just that.&nbsp; Hopefully, by somehow attaching it to a stronger backer fabric, it can be useful after all.<br />

I didn't say you couldn't do it!<br />

Who, me?&nbsp; ;)&nbsp; Maybe if I think of something cool to make with it...&nbsp; Hmmm...<br />

When life gives you lemons make lemon aide!<br /> <br /> Yes, I was sent some thread samples that were unable to be used in a sewing machine or by hand sewing.&nbsp; The samples also has a resistance that was to high to be useful for eTextiles.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> So, I made a new eTextile fabric that solves a design problem I was having while using up supplies in my studio.<br />

Well, that is a nice use of samples!&nbsp; I suggest getting more and keep experimenting!<br />

This sample is created with Angelina Fibers, therefore it is much more fragile than an everyday fabric.&nbsp; I have used Angelina FIbers to create three wearable art pieces. They are fragile, but are still in great shape after multiple fittings and runway shows.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://bit.ly/62XNww" rel="nofollow">1950's Poof</a><br /> <a href="http://bit.ly/5PmNX4" rel="nofollow">Mrs. Mary Atkins-Holl</a><br /> <a href="http://bit.ly/7316Qt" rel="nofollow">Samauri Angel</a><br /> <br /> Yes, you can make the conductive fabric and then sew it to another piece of fabric.&nbsp; I&nbsp;have not tried glue....yet.<br /> <br /> I believe you could use this method as everyday wear in small amounts, say for a switch or accent on an eTextile garment.<br /> <br />